cerned at its Fluctuation: and the more so, as I always firmly believed that it was established on a solid Foundation, and that Nothing but an ungovernable Thirst for Gain, joined to the Artifices of our Enemies could have impaired its credit to any dangerous Extent.

I declare that I have never, in a single Instance, sold or offered to sell during the Contest for specie, and tho' I might have received it for a pair of Horses which were a Burthen to me I declined it, upon Reflection, at the same Time that I believed very few indeed would have been so delicate.

Nor have I refused, to this Hour, to take Continental Money, even for Debts contracted before the War, tho' in one Instance, at least, I knew that the Debtor had obtained it by the most shameful Extortion. The injuries I have suffered by the Depreciation: the Frauds of Workmen in your Neighbourhood and in my Absence in the Country's Service: and a prevailing Aversion to labor or part with materials or provisions in any other Manner than by Barter or for Specie could hardly have Escaped the knowledge of any intelligent Man. A Barn which has cost me above £700 is a sufficient Monument of the Extravagancy of which I complain. If these are Facts: If it has been a general practice for some Time past to deal for specie not only in Schenectady but in every Town on the Continent why have I been singled out as the cause (for a recent Transaction) long after the Mischief was universally known to have taken deep Root? I, who have received the Continental Money at its depreciated state for old debts, at the same Time that I have discharged my own Contracts at the intrinsic value, because I could not Deprive the Laborer of his Hire consistently with my own Feelings, tho' I had Example to countenance it as well as my own Treatment from others. You will be pleased Sir to be made better acquainted with the Circumstances which have given Rise to the Report, which is laid to your Charge. A Report, which you will, on Enquiry, find to have originated

from a Quarrel between my Overseer and some persons whom he did not think fit to trust with my property for three Years, without security. To avoid a long Detail I shall confine myself to the Articles to which, it is said, you alluded, at the same Time assuring you that, conscious of my own Rectitude, I am ready and willing to give you and every Friend to the Country the clearest satisfaction on every other part of my Conduct. When I returned, in November last to Duanesburgh, after an Absence of sixteen Months, and settled with the Overseers of two Farms under my own Improvement, I found, to my Astonishment, that instead of the Farms and Stocks having supported themselves—I was brought in Debt about £120 in specie for Wages, Hay, provisions, &c. on exclaiming at so unexpected a Demand I was assured that Labor or Necessaries were not to be procured in that part of the Country but for specie or produce. I had been for some Time collecting Materials for a Dwelling House. I might have disposed of them, the Glass especially, to great Advantage. Instead of this, without interest or profit I delivered them to a Gentleman who intends to build on my settlement at the original Cost on his accepting an order in favor of my overseer for the Debt I owed him and engaging to pay the Balance at a future Day. This was my only expedient to extricate myself, not being possessed, after paying the other.-Demand of as much specie in the World. Finding my Farming Business so ruinous, while my whole Attention was devoted to the public, I was reduced to the further Necessity of breaking up my Farms. It was in my power to dispose of the stock for specie or for Continental Money-To both there were objections—If I sold for specie-tho, I saw it done by every other Man without Censure, I might be blamed-if for Continental Money at the current enormous price I might be charged with the contributing to the Depreciation. If I sold at an under Rate I should injure my Family without doing the least good to

the public, for the purchaser would have no scruple in making the most of his bargain—I took therefore a course which I judged unexceptionable, ordering my overseer to let out the stock or the Farms usual in that part of the Country for a share of the Increase and to be returned at the End of three or four years. When I revisited Schenectady last Week, I enquired how this Business had been conducted. My Directions I found had, in general, been obeyed. In some instances he had contracted for specie instead of the Increase or produce, and one Mare he had sold for a Note of Hand payable at the End of a year with Interest-I expressed Disatisfaction and he excused himself by alleging that the Farmers would not agree for the value in produce but insisted on giving money and that this had been the practice. It was in vain to complain farther at what had been done. I however gave him orders to sell the remaining Stock at vendue and for Continental Money if it could not be put out on the Farms I first directed. My Furniture and other Effects he had no authority to sell except a few trifling Articles I believe under the value of five pounds which were not worth removing.

It has been farther reported that I left my Goods in the Hands of Mr. Robinson to be sold only for specie. It is most untrue. Mrs. Duane requested him to exchange a pattern for a Stuff Gown for Diaper for her Family. No Opportunity offering, one of the Neighbors begged she might have it agreeing to give 66/ [shillings] in specie of which Mrs. Duane accepted. I solemnly declare I knew Nothing of it till several months after the Transaction or it should have been returned.

* * *

Upon the whole I have not during the present contest traded for the value of one Farthing except the sale of one share for Continental Money * * [illegible] trading. I have not received one penny rent, nor have by any Means earned the value of five pounds by my private

Business on the contrary, I have supported myself in my public character with the Allowance of the State: the ready Money of which I happen to be possessed when the War commenced, the Continental Money paid me in discharge of old Debts, and Money to no inconsiderable amount, which I have borrowed.

If you are satisfied with the Truth of this Relation, you are called upon by every Motive to remove the Impression which your Report has made to my prejudice. If you want further Conviction I am ready to justify myself in the clearest, most explicit Terms. I shall for the present say Nothing farther than that I am, Sir, your most humble Servant, Mitchell Esq.

For Mrs Duane.

JAMES DUANE TO HIS WIFE.

NEW YORK 30th September 1789.

You may remember, my dearest Polly, that I could not see you set sail on account of the Common Council which was then assembling. I had hardly taken my seat at the board when I received a Message that Col. Hamilton wished to speak with me. He asked me to walk into a private room and then to my great Surprize informed me that he was sent by the President of the United States to know whether I would accept the office of District Judge. I told him as I never had solicited, expected or even wished for any office from the President, knowing that he was hard pressed by numberless applicants who stood more in need than myself, I could not on a sudden give him an answer. He told me it was not necessary and that I might take that day to consider of it. On enquiring from him I found these were the circumstances attending the affair. Very great interest had been made for the Chief Justice Morris, for Judge Yates and Mr. Harrison. When the point was to be decided Col. Hamil

ton and Mr. Jay were present. The President observed that he conceived a more respectable appointment than either of the gentlemen recommended could be made and named me. Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Jay declared that they were of the same sentiments: on which the President replied that he was pleased to find that his opinion was confirmed by theirs, and Col. Hamilton was requested to deliver the above message to me. After the common council adjourned I found I was to decide on a question of great moment which greatly concerned my family without an opportunity of consulting with you or any of the children. I communicated it to the Baron* alone who was very earnest that I should accept it. Both offices I consider as highly honorable. They are equally profitable. The Judges place is held under the Commission of the President of the United States during good behavior; the Mayor's annually renewed at the whim of a council of appointment. The Judge's office permits him to reside in any part of the State, and affords a sufficient portion of leisure for his private affairs and recreation and study, the Mayor's demands the most slavish confinement and a waste of time on insignificant matters, as well as care and assiduity on those which are important. In short if he is upright, and, as he ought to be, easy of access, he cannot call an hour of his time his own. These are the chief considerations which with the honorable manner of the office was conferred on me induced me to return an answer in the evening that I accepted it. As soon as it was known that the Senate approved of my nomination I sent a resignation of the Mayoralty to the Governour. The Council of appointment met the day after and appointed Col. Varick, who relinquished the place of State's attorney, as my successor. The 14th Instant he will be qualified and I clear of it. Till then I must administer it.

While I am writing this letter I receive an invitation to *Baron Steuben.